Biography
A nationally respected and connected leader in higher education online learning, Ray Schroeder is senior fellow of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and professor emeritus/associate vice chancellor at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). After several years as an instructor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he came to the university in Springfield in 1977, beginning as assistant professor, then associate, then full professor, prior to becoming an emeritus professor in 2001. During his tenure, he launched the online learning program at UIS in 1997. He founded the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service and became associate vice chancellor for online learning in 2013, a position he continues to hold.
The recipient of numerous national awards and citations for individual excellence and leadership from many associations and entities including the Sloan Consortium (OLC), US Distance Learning Association, American Journal of Distance Education, Illinois Council for Continuing Higher Education, University of Wisconsin, and University of Illinois, Ray is the author of book chapters, articles, widely read blogs, and social media feeds on news and research in online learning/educational technology. Ray is a noted speaker, consultant, researcher, and author on topics related to online learning, emerging educational technologies, and technology-enhanced learning.